Today was three steps forward, two steps back. 

After having family in town for the past 10 days for a wedding I was exhausted, but I really wanted to get in to see my teacher and get back to working on my cap.  Unfortunately, the two-hour drive in to Happy Camp didn’t help my tiredness.  Needless to say my weaving did not go well today; my material was breaking on me constantly.  Initially I thought my materials weren’t good, but in hindsight I realize the problem was I was tired and not in the right frame of mind to weave.  I wove for four hours, packed it up, and drove the two hours home, stopping three times to rest. Today’s picture is my progress to date on my “learning” cap.

Next month, we’ll be gathering woodwardia fern.

 

This is my cap today.

 

Starting the design

Wow, today was slow going and a bit frustrating.  Adding a stick every fourth stick in a row with black fern overlay was tricky.  But the next row is even trickier. Begining to add a design, which means changing overlay color (red woowardia fern and white bear grass), while weaving between to separate the added sticks was challenging for me.  Needless to say, I'm feeling discouraged right now. I reminded myself though, that I have felt like this many times before since I started this basketweaving journey three years ago.  If I just persevere, be patient and breathe, I get past the feeling of discouragement and continue on with my weaving.

Lots of smoke and fire crews along the Klamath River today.